There is something beautiful about the ambient sound of Denmark act Under Byen’s fourth full length studio release Alt Er Tabt. Their music does not merely reverberate, but instead seeps through the speakers like an eerie fog of sound. Front-woman Henriette Sennenvaldt’s haunting vocals calmly echo against the often relentless beat of bass, drums, panicky pianos and shrill violins to create a contrasting yet somehow balanced marriage of song that is both unsettling and mesmerizing. Like their name and album title, every lyric is in Danish adding to the English listeners experience by accentuating the emotion and unique shadowy aura of their music. That being said, this album is not for everyone or every occasion. It is by no means an easy listen and could certainly make or break a mood depending on the situation. For instance, putting on Alt Er Tabt would not be the best choice to get people dancing at a party or for doing anything that would require a high level of energy. A long, quiet car or bus ride, however, would suit Under Byen’s music nicely, especially on a rainy evening. For just a taste of the album try enchanting track “Kapitel 1.” (Paper Bag Records, www.paperbagrecords.com) Cindy Doyle
Winnipeg music & culture since 1989